Control apparatus



Nov. 8, 1966 J. F. LINDELL 3,283,602

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I l I 1 I w 112 111 11 1 1 f2 l I M United States Patent 3,283,602 CONTROL APPARATUS John F. Lindell, Newton, Iowa, assignor to Koehring Company, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Jan. 12, 1965, Ser. No. 424,973 Claims. '(Cl. 74-469) The invention relates to control apparatus of the type wherein a bank of hydraulic valves or other control devices and a group of individually adjustable operating levers are combined so that each control device may be actuated independently of the others by manipulation of an associated operating lever.

Such control apparatus are commonly used in various types of machinery, and the invention lends itself particularly but is not limited to use in an excavating machine of the ditch digger or backhoe type. Such a machine is conventionally equipped with a horizontally and vertically swingable boom, a bucket arm pivoted on the boom, and a bucket pivoted on the bucket arm. Hydraulic cylinders are usually provided to effect horizontal and vertical swinging movements of the boom; inward and outward swinging of the bucket arm relative to the boom in any position of horizontal and vertical adjust ment of the latter; and inward and outward tilting of the bucket relative to the bucket .arm in any pivotally adjusted position of the bucket arm. The hydraulic cylinders are conventionally controlled by associated hydraulic valves, and the control levers for such valves are usually arranged in a predetermined pattern to which the operator of the machine must become accustomed so that he can intuitively effect any desired boom, bucket arm and bucket adjustment by manipulation of the proper control lever or levers.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved control apparatus of the hereinabove outlined character which is so constructed that the control lever pattern can readily be altered to suit any preference or acquired custom of the operator.

More specifically it is an object of the invention to provide an improved control .apparatus of the mentioned character which enables the operator to pick any desired control lever pattern without changing existing hydraulic hose connections, and without dismantling and reassembling any existing bank of hydraulic valves.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved mounting structure for actuating levers of a control apparatus of the hereinab'ove outlined character.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved control apparatus of the mentioned character which is relatively simple and compact, etficient in operation and which lends itself to manufacture at relatively low costs.

These and other objects and advantages are attained by the present invention, various novel features of which will become apparent from the description herein and the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred and a modified embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:-

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of part of a backhoe equipped with a control apparatus embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an assembly of parts incorporated in the control apparatus illustrated by FIG. 1, portions of parts shown in FIG. 2 being broken away and shown in section;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the assembly shown in FIG. 2 and of parts of an associated bank of hydraulic valves;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of FIG. 3, portions of parts shown in FIG. 4 being broken away and shown in section;

FIG. 5 is an end view of parts shown in FIG. 4 and of an associated cover, portions of parts shown in FIG. 5 being broken away and shown in section;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the control apparatus illustrated by FIGS. 1 to 5 incorporating a predetermined pattern of control levers;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view similar to FIG. 6 and illustrating an alteration of the control lever pattern shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of a modified embodiment of the invention incorporating a predetermined pattern of control levers; and

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view similar to FIG. 8 and illustrating an [alteration of the control lever pattern shown in FIG. 8.

In FIG. 1, the rear part of a conventional tractor is shown in broken lines and comprises a body portion 1, a pair of transversely spaced propelling wheels 2 and 3, and an operators seat 4. Outrigger arms 6 and 7 are conventionally mounted on the tractor body 1 for up and down swinging movement relative thereto. Hydraulic actuating cylinders 8 and 9 for the outrigger arms 6 and 7, respectively, are mounted on the tractor body 1 and are operatively connected with the outrigger arms so that expansion and contraction of the cylinder 8 will lower and raise the outrigger arm 6, and so that expansion andcontraction of the cylinder 9 will lower and raise the ou-trigger arm 7.

A backhoe atachment of conventional construction is mounted on the tractor body 1 and comprises a boom 11, a bucket arm 12 and a bucket 13. A supporting bracket 14 for the boom 11 is pivotally mounted on the tractor body 1 for lateral swinging movement relative thereto about a vertical axis, and the boom 11 is p-ivotally mounted at its lower end on the supporting bracket 14 by means of a horizontal pivot pin 16. A hydraulic cylinder generally indicated by the reference character 17 is operatively interposed between the tractor body 1 and bracket 14 so that expansion and contraction of the cylinder 17 will swing the bracket 14 to one side and the other about its vertical pivot axis on the tractor.

Another hydraulic cylinder 18 is operatively interposed between the boom 11 and bracket 14 so that expansion and contraction of the cylinder 18 swings the boom 11 upward and downward, respectively, about the pivot pin 16 relative to the bracket 14.

The bucket 'arm 12 is swingably mounted on the upper end of the boom 11 by means of a horizontal pivot pin 19, and :a hydraulic cylinder 21 is operatively interposed between the boom 11 and bucket arm 12 so that expansion and contraction of the cylinder 21 swings the arm 12 about the pivot pin 19 in opposite directions.

The bucket 13 is swingably mounted on the free end of the arm 12 by means of a pivot pin 22, and a hydraulic cylinder 23' is operatively interposed between the arm 12 and the bucket 13 so that expansion and contraction of the cylinder 23 swings the bucket 13 about the pivot 22 in opposite directions.

Control apparatus for the swing cylinder 17, the lift cylinder 18, the bucket arm adjusting cylinder 21, and for the bucket angling cylinder 23 comprises a bank of four hydraulic valves generally indicated in FIG. 4 by the reference characters V17, V18, V21 and V23. These valves are of conventional construction and are operatively connected with their respective cylinders by suitable hose lines, not shown. A supporting structure 24 which carries the valves V17, V18, V21 and V22 is rigidly mounted on the tractor body 1 near the operators seat 4 as shown in FIG. 1. The valve V17 comprises a reciprocable control element 26 which is selectively adjustable in opposite directions from a neutral position Patented Nov. 8, 1966 ment 38 is pivotally mounted on a shaft 42.

may be assumed to effect horizontal swinging movement of the boom to the other side.

Similarly, displacement of the control element 27 of the valve V18 from its neutral position in an upward direction :as seen in FIG. 3, may be assumed to effect raising of the boom 11, and downward displacement of the control element 27 as seen in FIG. 3, may be assumed to effect lowering of the boom 11 about its pivot pin 16.

Further, displacement of the control element 28 of the valve V21 from its neutral position in an upward direction as seen in FIG. 3 may be assumed to effect outward swinging of the bucket arm 12, and downward displacement of the control element 28 as seen in FIG. 3 may be assumed to effect inward swinging of the bucket arm 12 about its pivot pin 19.

Finally, displacement of the control element 29 of the valve V23 from its neutral position in an upward direction as seen in FIG. 3, may be assumed to effect outward angling of the bucket 13, and downward displacement of the control element 29 as seen in FIG. 3 may be assumed to effect inward angling of the bucket 13 about its pivot pin 22.

Pivotally connected to the control element 26 of the valve V17 an actuating link which is designated in FIGS. 2 and 4 by the reference character 31. A duplicate of the link 31 is shown at [the lower left end of FIG. 2 and designated by the reference character 32. Additional duplicates of the link 32 are pivotally connected, respectively, to the control elements 27, 28 and 29 and designated in FIGS. 3 and 4 by the reference characters 33, 34 and 36.

The link 31 has :a bifurcated end which straddles a radial arm 37 of a rockable control element 38. A pivot pin 39 swingably connects the link 31 with the arm The rockable control element 38 comprises a hub portion 41 (FIG. 4) by means of which the control ele- The shaft 42, in turn, is fixedly mounted on the support 24 in any suitable manner, not shown. The control element '38 further comprises an elongated arm 43 (FIG. 3) which is rigidly connected with the hub portion 41 by a web portion 44 and which extends longitudinally in the direction of the pivot axis presented by the shaft 42.

A first hand lever 46 has a threaded lower end portion 45 which is screwed into a correspondingly tapped hole 45' (FIG. at the left end of the axial arm 43 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Additional (tapped holes 47, 48 and 49 are spaced along the arm 43 on axes in transversely extending relation to the axis of shaft 42, each of the holes 47, 48 and 49 being adapted to receive the threaded lower end of the hand lever 46 and thereby secure the latter in three alternative operating positions on the c-ontrol'element 38. A knob 51 at the upper end of the hand lever 46 is located within reach from the operators seat 4.

The foregoing explanations of the control element 38 analogously apply to three additional control elements 52, 53 and 54 which are alined on the shaft 42 to the right of the control element 38 as viewed in FIG. 2. Hubs 56, 57' and 58 of the control elements 52, 53 and 54, respectively, are pivotally mounted end to end on the shaft 42, and have radial arms 59, 61 and 62, respectively.

in which it is shown'in FIG. 3. Thevalves V18, V21

4 The link's'33, 34' and 36 are pivotally connected with the free ends of the arms 59, 61 and 62 by pivot pins 63, 64 and 66, respectively; and the links 33, 34 and 36 are pivotally connected at their other ends to the reciprocable control elements 27, 28 and 29 of the valves V18, V2 and V23, respectively.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the control element 52 has an axial arm 67 presenting four taspped holes 68 for mounting a second hand lever=69 on the control element 52 selectively in different positions of adjustment longitudinally of the axial arm 67. A connecting web'71'between the hub 56 and the axial arm 67 of the control element 52 extends in a direction generally opposite to the radial arm 59, as distinguished from the web 44 of the control element 38 which extends in a directionat generally right angles to thearm 37. Also, the web 71 merges with the arm 67 intermediate the ends of the latter, as distinguished from the web 44 which merges with the arm 43 at the left end of the latter as viewed in FIG. 2.

The control element 53 is structurally a duplicate of the control element 52 but is placed on the shaft 42 in a reversed position as compared with the control element 52. The axial arm 72 of the control element 53 has four tapped holes 73 for mounting a third hand lever 74 on the control element 53 selectively in different positions of adjustment longitudinally of the axial arm 72.

The control element 54 is structurally a duplicate of the control element 38 but is placed on the shaft in a reversed position as compared withthe control element 38. The axial arm 76 of the control element 54 has four tapped holes 77 for mounting a fourth hand lever 78 on the control element 54 selectively in different positions of adjustment longitudinally of the axial arm .76.

The Outriggers 6 and 7 on the tractor body 1 are raised and lowered hydraulically in conventional manner, the operation of the outrigger lift cylinders 8 and 9 being controlled by hand levers 79 and 81, respectively, which are rockably mounted on the shaft 41 at the opposite ends of the latter as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.

All of the hand levers 46, 69, 74, 78, 79 and 81 have knobs 51 at their upper ends within reach from the operators seat 4. A generally semi-cylindrical cover 82 is mounted on the support 24 in overlying relation to-the control elements 38, 52, 53 and 54, and the cover is provided with slots through which the hand levers extend upwardly and which accommodate back and forth rocking movement of the hand levers about the axis of the shaft 42.

FIG. 1 shows the hand levers 46, 69, 74, 78, 79 and 81 in their neutral positions from which they may be moved back and forth in order to adjust the boom 11, bucket arm 12, bucket 13 and Outriggers 6 and 7 atthe will of the operator. FIGS. 1 and 3 show the knobs 51 of the levers 46, 69, 74 and 78 in a condition of transverse alinement, which corresponds to the neutral condition of the valves V17, V18, V21 and V23. The sequence of the levers 46, 69, 74 and 78 from right to left as seen by an operator positioned on the seat 4 is such that the first lever of the sequence, namely the lever 46, controls the horizontal swing of the boom; the second lever of the sequence, namely the lever 69, controls the raising and lowering of the boom; the third lever of the sequence, namely the lever 74, controls the outward and inward swing of the bucket arm 12; and the third lever of the sequence, namely the lever 78 controls the angular position of the bucket 13.

The sequence in which the levers are arranged as outlined above, is diagrammatically illustrated by FIG. 6. Lever 46 is in the No. I position from the right and operatively connected to the boom swing control valve V17; lever 69 is in the No. II position and operatively connected to the boom elevation control valve V18; lever 74 is in the No. III position and operatively connected to the bucket arm control valve V21; and lever 78 is in the No. IV position and operatively connected to the bucket tilt control valve V23.

Supposing now that an operator prefers or is accustomed to a control lever pattern in which the boom elevation control lever occupies the No.1 position; in which the bucket tilt control lever occupies the No. II position; in which the boom swing control lever occupies the No. III position; and in which the bucket arm control lever occupies the No. IV position. Such a pattern is illustrated diagrammatically by FIG. 7.

It will be noted that in FIG. 7 the control elements 38, 52, 53 and 54 are operatively connected, respectively, with the valves V17, V18, V21 and V23 as in FIG. 6, but that the hand levers 46, 69, 74 and 78 have been relocated on the control elements 38, 52, 53 and 54, respectively.

The lever 69 which controls the boom elevation is shown in FIG. 7 in the No. I position on the control element 52, as compared with FIG. 6 where the boom elevation control lever 69 is shown in the No. II position on the control element 52. Referring to FIG. 2 which shows the lever 69 in the No. II position of FIG. 6, it will be seen that the lever 69 may be moved to the No. I of FIG. 7 by unscrewing it from the hole 68 in the arm 67 where it is shown in FIG. 2 and reinstalling it in the first hole 68 at the left end of the arm 67 as seen in FIG. 2.

The lever 78 which controls the bucket tilt is shown in FIG. 7 in the No. II position on the control element 54, as compared with FIG. 6 where the bucket tilt control lever 78 is shown in the No. IV position on the control element 54. Referring to FIG. 3 which shows the lever '78 in the No. IV position of FIG. 6, it will be seen that the lever 78 may be moved to the No. II position of FIG.

-7 by unscrewing it from the hole 77 in the arm 76 where it is shown in FIG. 3 and by reinstalling it in the second hole 77 from the left in FIG. 3.

The lever 46 which controls the horizontal boom swing is shown in FIG. 7 in the No. III position on the control element 38, as compared with FIG. 6 where the boom swing control lever 46 is shown in the No. I position on the control element 38. Referring again to FIG. 3 which shows the lever 46 in the No. I position of FIG. 6, it will be seen that the lever 46 may be moved to the No. III position of FIG. 7 by unscrewing it from the hole in the arm 43 in which it is shown in FIG. 3 and by reinstalling the lever 46 in the hole 48 of the arm 43.

The lever 74 which controls the bucket arm 12 is shown in FIG. 7 in the No. IV position on the control element 53, as compared with FIG. 6 where the bucket arm control lever 74 is shown in the No. III position on the control element 53. Referring to FIG. 2 which shows the lever 74 in the No. III position of FIG. 6, it will be seen that the lever 74 may be moved to the No. IV position of FIG. 7 by unscrewing it from the hole in the arm 72 where it is shown in FIG. 2 and by reinstalling the lever 74 in the last hole 73 at the right end of the arm 72 as seen in FIG. 2.

The hereina'bove outlined procedure of altering the control lever pattern of FIG. 6 to the control lever pattern of FIG. 7 may be followed analogously to establish any other control lever pattern which may be desired by an operator in order to suit his preference or acquired custom. Such alteration may be accomplished conveniently with a minimum of effort and with a very much shorter time than would be required if the alteration were to be effected by changing hose connections or dismantling and reassembling existing control valves.

A modified embodiment of the invention is diagram- Inatically illustrated by FIGS. 8 and 9. In the modified embodiment the sequence of the hand levers and their positions on the rockable control elements 38, 52, 53 and 54 are fixed but their pattern may be changed by altering their functions, that is, by altering their connections to the hydraulic valves or other control devices.

In FIG. 8 the hand lever 46 is secured to the rockable control element 38, and the latter is operatively connected to the boom swing control valve V17 by a detachable link 31. The hand lever 69 is secured to the rockable control element 52, and the latter is operatively connected to the boom elevating control valve V18 by a detachable link 33'. The hand lever 74 is secured to the rockable control element 53, and the latter is operatively connected to the bucket arm control valve V21 by a detachable link 34. Finally, the hand lever 78 is secured to the rockable control element 54, and the latter is operatively connected to the bucket tilt control valve V23 by a detachable link 36.

Supposing now that an operator prefers or is accustomed to a control lever pattern in which the first hand lever of the sequence, that is the lever 46, controls the boom elevation; in which the second hand lever of the sequence, that is the lever 69, controls the bucket tilt; in which the third hand lever of the sequence, that is the lever 74, controls the horizontal boom swing; and in which the fourth lever of the sequence, that is the lever 78, controls the bucket arm pivoting. These requirements can be readily satisfied by the modified embodiment of the invention, as illustrated by FIG. 9.

It will be noted that in FIG. 9 the hand levers 46, 69, 74 and 78 are secured to the rockable control elements 38, 52, 53 and 54, respectively, in the same manner as they are in FIG. 8, but that the connecting links 31, 33, 34 and 36 have been relocated on their associated control elements 38, 52, 53 and 54, respectively, and are connected to the proper valves for the desired control functions.

In FIG. 9 the link 31' which is actuated by manipulation of the first hand lever 46 has been moved into alinement with the boom elevation control valve V18. In this new position the link 31 operatively connects the rockable control element 38 with the boom elevation control valve V18, as compared with FIG. 8 where the link 31' operatively connects the rockable control element 38 with the boom swing control valve V17.

The foregoing explanations regarding the relocation of the link 31 from the position in which it is shown in FIG. 8 to the position in which it is shown in FIG. 9 analogously apply to the links 33', 34' and 36'. It will be seen that in the modified embodiment of the invention which is illustrated by FIGS. 8 and 9 any of the four possible control functions can be assigned to each of the hand levers 46, 69, 74 and 78 by disconnecting the links 31', 33', 34' and 36' from their associated rockable control elements and valves; by then relocating the disconnected links with respect to their associated rockable control elements and into a'linement with any selected control valve; and by then re-establishing operative connections of the relocated links with their associated rockable control elements and selected valves.

Generally, the rockable elements 38, 52, 53 and 54 may be considered to represent a first group of individually adjustable control elements which are movably mounted on a support. Either the hand levers 46, 69, 74 and 78, or the links 31, 33, 34' and 36 may be considered to represent a second group of individually adjustable control elements which are operatively associated, respectively, in motion transmitting relation with said control elements of said first group. Further, the valve elements 26, 27, 28 and 29 maybe considered to represent a third group of individually adjustable control elements which are operatively associated, respectively, in motion transmitting relation with said control elements of said first group. The tapped holes in the axial arm portions of the control elements 38, 52, 53 and 54 may be considered to represent a predetermined number of relatively spaced fastening means on each control element of the first group. Finally, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated by FIGS. 6 and 7 the threaded ends ofthe hand levers 46, 69, 74 and 78; and in the modified embodiment as illustrated by FIGS. 8 and 9 the links 31',

33, 34' and 36', may be considered to represent complementary fastening means which are selectively engageable in cooperative relation with any one of the fastening means presented by the associated control element of said first group.

It should be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to the herein disclosed forms and details of construction but that the invention includes such other forms and constructions as are embraced by the scope of the appended claims.

It is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent:

1. Control apparatus comprising, a support; a first group of individually adjustable control elements movably mounted on said support; a second group of individually adjustable control elements operatively associated, respectively, in motion transmitting relation with said control elements of said first group; and a bank of control devices mounted on said support and including a third group of individually adjustable control elements operatively associated, respectively, in motion transmitting relation with said control elements of said first group; each cont-o1 element of said first group presenting a predetermined number of relatively spaced fastening means thereon, and each control element of one of said second and third groups presenting a complementary fastening element selectively engaged in cooperative relation with a selected one said fastening means presented by the associated control element of said first group.

2. Control apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the number of relatively spaced fastening means presented by each of said control elements of said first group is the same as the number of said control devices.

3. Control apparatus comprising, a support; a first group of individually adjustable control elements pivot ally mounted in said support; a second group of individually adjustable control elements operatively associated, respectively, in'torque transmitting relation with said control elements of said first group; and a bank of control devices mounted on said support and including a third group of individually reciprocable control elements operatively associated, respectively, in motion transmitting relation with said control elements of said first group; each control element of said first group including an arm portion presenting a plurality of relatively spaced fastening means; and each control element of said second group having a complementary fastening element selectively engaged in cooperative relation with a selected one of said fastening means presented by the associated control element of said first group.

4. Control apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said control elements of said first group are mounted on said support in side by side relation on a common pivot axis, each of said control elements of said first group comprising a hub portion, and wherein said arm portion extends in radially spaced relation to said hub .portion, said arm portions presenting said relatively spaced fastening means at predetermined axial distances from each other.

5. Control apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said control elements of said first group further comprises a radial arm extending from said hub portion in circumferentially olfset relation to said axially extending arm portion, said control apparatus further comprising a group of link elements hinged, respectively, to said radial arm portions and operatively connected, respectively, to said individually adjustable elements of said control devices.

6. Control apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said fastening means presented by the axially extending arm portions of said control elements of said first group each comprise a hole on an axis in transversely extending relation to said common pivot axis of said first group of control elements.

7. Control apparatus comprising, a support; a group of individually rocka-ble control elements mounted on said support in axially alined relation to each other on a common pivot axis; each of said control elements comprising a hub portion, an axial arm portion connected in radially spaced relation with said hub portion and having a number of tapped holes in transversely extend ing relation to said common pivot axis, said holes being spaced from each other in the direction of said pivot axis; a group of operating handles having threaded end portions, respectively, matching said tapped holes and one mounted, respectively, on the axial arm portions of said rockab'le control elements; a bank of control devices operatively mounted on said support and each including an individually adjust-able control element; and motion transmitting means operatively connecting said individually rockable control elements, respectively, with said individually adjustable elements of said control devices.

8. Control apparatus comprising a support; a first group of individually adjustable control elements movably mounted on said support and each presenting a plurality of relatively spaced connecting elements; a second group of individually adjustable control elements operatively associated, respectively, in motion transmitting relation with said control elements of said first group; a bank of control devices mounted on said support and including a third group of individually movable control elements operatively associated, respectively, in motion transmitting relation wtih said control elements of said first group; and complementary connecting means engaged with said connecting elements presented by said control elements of said first group and cooperable with a selected one of said control elements of said third group so as to establish said motion transmitting relations between said control elements of said first group and selected control elements of said third group.

9. In a control apparatus, the combination of a shaft; a pair of rockable control elements having hub portions, respectively, pivotally mounted on said shaft in end to end adjacent relation to each other; a pair of radial arms extending from said hub portions, respectively, in generally right angle relation to the axis of said shaft; a web portion extending from one of said hub positions in generally right angle relation tothe radial arm extending from said one hub portion; a web portion extending 0:ut wardly from the other of said hub portions in the general direction of and opposite to the radial arm extending from said other hub portion; a pair of elongated arms extending from said web portions, respectively, in the axial direction of said shaft in laterally confronting relation .to each other and in radially spaced relation to said hub portions; a pair of hand levers mounted, respectively, on said enlon-gated arms in selected positions of adjustment longitudinally of said elongated arms; and actuating links for independently adjustable control devices pivotally connected, respectively, with said radial arms.

10. Control apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said axial arms each present a plurality of tapped holes on axes spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of said shaft and extending in generally right angle relation to the latter, and wherein said hand levers have threaded end portions, respectively, matching said tapped holes.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,587,875 3/1952 Moore et a1. 74-471 2,804,782 9/1957 Erxleben 7447l X MILTON KAUFMAN, Primary Examiner. 

1. CONTROL APPARATUS COMPRISING, A SUPPORT; A FIRST GROUP OF INDIVIDUALLY ADJUSTABLE CONTROL ELEMENTS MOVABLY MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT; A SECOND GROUP OF INDIVIDUALLY ADJUSTABLE CONTROL ELEMENTS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED, RESPECTIVELY, IN MOTION TRANSMITTING RELATION WITH SAID CONTROL ELEMENTS OF SAID FIRST GROUP; AND A BANK OF CONTROL DEVICES MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT AND INCLUDING A THIRD GROUP OF INDIVIDUALLY ADJUSTABLE CONTROL ELEMENTS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED, RESPECTIVELY, IN MOTION TRANSMITTING RELATION WITH SAID CONTROL ELEMENTS OF SAID FIRST GROUP; EACH CONTROL ELEMENT OF SAID FIRST GROUP PRESENTING A PREDETERMINED NUMBER OF RELATIVELY SPACED FASTENING MEANS THEREON, AND EACH CONTROL ELEMENT OF ONE OF SAID SECOND AND THIRD GROUPS PRESENTING A COMPLEMENTARY FASTENING ELEMENT SELECTIVELY ENGAGED IN COOPERATIVE RELATION WITH A SELECTED ONE SAID FASTENING MEANS PRESENTED BY THE ASSOCIATED CONTROL ELEMENT OF SAID FIRST GROUP. 